Brenden Aaronson makes ‘Difficult’ admission after what happened on Leeds United return
Brenden Aaronson admits the criticism he received from fans when he first returned to Leeds United made things “difficult” for him.
The attacking midfielder was an unpopular figure at Elland Road after he was one of several players to exercise a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on loan when the club were relegated at the end end of the 2022/23 season.
Aaronson returned to Elland Road this summer following his year at Union Berlin and has three goal contributions in 10 games as he looks to complete a redemption arc, and opened up on the initial days of coming back to the club.
“Since I’ve come back [to Leeds], I would say the first couple of weeks were pretty difficult mentally because you might see some fans getting upset with you and it’s just difficult,” Aaronson said to ESPN (9 October).
“I’m proud of myself. I’ve come back and done really well. I won Player of the Month, which is really good for me and that was a really great start.
“And now I just want to keep building and keep scoring and assisting and yeah, just keep getting better”.
Brenden Aaronson could be key for Leeds United this season
Aaronson’s return to Leeds couldn’t have come at a better time for the club. The vast majority of Daniel Farke’s transfer window was spent looking for a new number 10 with the Whites even having a £13million bid for Sheffield United ace Gustavo Hamer rebuffed [The Star, 26 August].
Although the West Yorkshire outfit failed to find a suitable attacking midfielder during the transfer window, the US international has started the season well and made the first-team spot his own.
Aaronson having three goal contributions might not seem like that strong of a return but the fact that he was awarded Leeds’ Player of the Month says all you need to know.
The 23-year-old is one of the Whites’ only options at number 10 with Joel Piroe able to play there and Wilfried Gnonto capable of playing centrally.
Piroe, though, has been utilised largely as a central striker when he has been used this season and scored his fourth Championship goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland in what was only his second start in the league this term.
It’s still early days in the season, but, if Aaronson’s form continues, he could become key to Leeds’ promotion chances this term.
In other Leeds news, the Whites have decided whether Illan Meslier will be dropped v Sheffield United.
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